Rose Mortimer; Or, The Ballet-Girl's Revenge — page 117: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE BALLET-GIRL’S SSS Ee ee eer ae *‘ He must die.”’ ’ “Ts there no other way ?”’ ** None.”’ “ Then I will die too.” “Then, to shut out the recollection of your crime, you would add another to the list.” ** Have mercy !”’ “Tecan have none if you speak thus,” said the necromancer. “Then I will be patient,’’ “The child must be removed and buried secretly. Who knows of its existence ?’' * None.” “Then your way lies straightforward and simple enough,”’ “ How?” “T will explain that later. child.”’ “Two weeks.” 4 ** So young ?” ery Gs. A long consultation then ensued, in which Mermet advised her how to act, and promised further aid. At the end of this Ahmet the attendant returned, after a long protracted absence. “You have seen ?”’ demanded the Arab. ““T have.”’ ‘And the name of the lady is—”’ “* Lady Bellisle !”’ Tell me the age of the CHAPTER XLV. MERMET’S PLANS — THE LAWYER — A JOURNEY BY RAIL—THE GARDEN—DIGGING THE GRAVE —THE TWO WATCHERS — A MOTHER’S WOE — “ wWERCY!’’—THE POLICEMAN—THE SMELLING SALTS —A FATAL STRATEGEM — THE CRYSTAL PHIAL—POISONED—THE RIVER. | MERMET made a mental note of the name and rank of the veiled lady number one, who had purchased the poison of him. Lady Bellisle. And a poison too which should kill by the smell alone. Thene was surely enough in this to lay her com- pletely in his grasp. ‘© So much for my Lady Bellisle,’’? muttered the ne- cromancer. ‘‘ You can be looked after at my leisure. My more immediate attention must be directed to this trembling girl, the young mother who is about to place herself and her fortune—and I doubt not that she has fortune, since she has a family from whom she isso desirous of withholding her shame—to place her- self and her fortune, I say, so completely at my com- mand. Poor girl!’’—and here the little Arab’s face eleamed with a satanic grin—“ she little dreams what this day has done for her. However, I must use my power as mercifully as I can. Ho, there, Ahmet.” The attendant entered. : “‘ Did the sghib call ?” MES.) The man salaamed. You followed that young lady too ?” ‘Yes, sahib.’’ * Good. Her name is—”’ “* Miss Grace Walgrave.”’ “Where ?” “ Grosvenor Square.”’ The magician started to his feet with an exclama- tion of astonishment. ‘Ts it possible ?”’ “Sahib, I have spoken.”’ © Good,” said the Arab, as if suddenly determined ——— Se es (Xe) REVENGE. lil upon some bold step. Ahmet.”’ “Yes, sahib,”’ They were brought, and the attendant arrayed his master in them, ; “* Now my stick.’ 73 Yes.” *“Good. Now call a cab.” Mermet got into the cab, directing the driver ta conduct him to Furnival’s Inn. Here he sought out a shabby-looking house, and mounted three storeys high. _ It was a break-neck staircase, and the Arab ran great risk in hobbling up, from his many physical af- flictions. However, he was a man of determination, and not to be daunted. He faced the difficulty boldly, and boldly conquered “Get me my hat and cloak, it. Arrived at the top, the magician tapped with the handle of his stick upon a door on which was painted a name in white letters— Mr. IGNATIUS SCRIBB. ‘Come in.” Mermet entered. Mr. Scribb was a mild respectable-looking gentle- man. He wore a white neckcloth, shaved his cheeks, let his hair grow long, and looked sanctimonious— something in appearance between a Methodist par- son and the decayed schoolmaster in the New Road who has seen better days. ‘© Ah! my dear sir,’’ said Mr. Scribb, popping a quill pen into his mouth, as if to facilitate his speech, ‘“* Tow d’ye do,” said Mermet. The difference in the necromancer’s specch was now remarkable. He seemed of a sudden to have acquired the move everyday and colloquial English. *¢ Are you alone ?”’ “Yes,” answered Mr. Scribb, ‘* My clerk is ‘just gone out.”’ “* Very good.” ‘¢ What can I do for you?” A service. This is it. Square ?” “Yes «¢ And you know the Walgraves’ house ?”’ ‘‘No, but that is easily found. I know that it is in the square, that’s all.” ‘Well, you must find it and get me a little infor- mation about Miss Grace Walgrave,’’ “ Information ?”’ F Yes.”’ “Of what kind?” ‘¢ Any kind.” “Ves, but—”’ The Arab caught the lawyer’s eye and pulled him up short. ‘Now, Scribb,’’ said he, “‘ you are not going to worm this or anything else out of me. You’re @ devilish clever fellow, and as cunning as the whole of the rest of the inn put together, but you can’t manage to pump me.” Sir, I—”’ *¢ Enough.”’ “ But I protest.’ ‘‘T’m satisfied. Let.it suffice you, Scribb, that I em- ploy and pay youwell. Let us work into each other’s hands as well as we can.” ** Good.”’ ‘¢ Share each other’s welfare.”’ ‘*T ask no more.”’ ‘‘ But not their business nor their secrots, if they have any.’”’ ‘¢ Undoubtedly.” You know Grosvenor